Power Converter Design for an Integrated Modular Motor Drive

The Integrated Modular Motor Drive (IMMD) concept provides a promising approach to integrating motor drive electronics into the machine housing by modularizing both the machine stator and the power converter. The basic module of the IMMD consists of a stator pole-piece wound with a concentrated coil and fitted with a dedicated power converter unit. This paper addresses several of the challenges associated with the design of an IMMD power converter module. In particular, the issues associated with configuring the dc bus capacitance to meet the demanding size requirements of the power converter are addressed, including the effect of dc bus connections. Experimental results for converter operation are presented, and opportunities to further reduce the capacitor size using active control strategies are discussed.